Gertrude the Great

St. Gertrude the Great (c. 1256 - c. 1302) was a Benedictine nun and mystic, known for her profound visions and writings on the spiritual life. Born in Germany, she entered the Benedictine monastery of Helfta as a child and spent her life in prayer and contemplation. Gertrude is renowned for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her mystical experiences, which she recorded in her famous work "The Herald of Divine Love." She is venerated as the patron saint of the West Indies and is invoked for the relief of souls in purgatory.